Military training with culture a successful mix

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From the first week of July to the middle of August Aboriginal men and woman who dream of military life can attend a program called Bold Eagle.

The program, designed for Aboriginal youth, is open to male or female applicants from 17 to 26 years of age who are First Nations or Bill C-31 members. Applicants are accepted on a first come, first served basis. The applicants education, physical ability and mental agility is also taken into consideration. They must have a clean police record.

Two letters of recommendations are needed, one from a First Nation's representative, and one from a parent or guardian if the applicant is 17 years of age.

The program includes a one-week cultural camp before the military training begins.

The camp is attended by Elders who act as mentors and teach the recruits the significance of sweatlodge ceremonies and to set up teepees. The Elders also teach basic outdoor survival and spirituality.

Elders who teach the culture course remain on the base for the duration of the Bold Eagle program to provide counseling to recruits.

"We've found that the candidates of the culture camp bonded and we've found this extremely successful, " said Capt. John St. Dennis, Bold Eagle co-ordinator at the 38th Canadian Brigade Base in Winnipeg.

The program that originally started in Saskatchewan 10 years ago now operates in western Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia as well. The course is sponsored jointly by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Department of National Defence.

This year the program has 100 positions to fill, and is being held in Wainwright. The deadline date for applications is March 15.

The training promotes self-esteem, discipline, team work, leadership and physical fitness and helps the recruits achieve entry into Canada's military. Successful candidates may transfer to a primary military reserve near their home communities.

The military attempts to use as many First Nations instructors as possible. Participants will have their training costs covered as well as earn a salary during the course of the program.

For further information call the Canadian Armed Forces toll free at 1-800-856-8488 or at Regina's FSIN office at (306) 721-3600 or any local Canadian Armed Forces office. Swearing in ceremony takes place on June 27. Culture Camp begins June 28 and ends on July 2 . Military training begins on July 3 and ends on Aug. 12. Graduation is open to the parents, grandparents, chiefs, relatives, and friends of the candidates and will take place on Aug. 13.

First Nations chiefs are invited to view the training in Wainwright this summer. The program co-ordinator can arrange specific dates and times for interested individuals. This course is also a way to obtain skills for use in the general work force.

"It has a high success rate, and graduates usually go on to join regular forces or the reserves," said St. Dennis.